INDIANAPOLIS — Three shootings over three days leads to police arresting three people in Indianapolis. Police say the violence all shares a common cause of poor conflict resolution.
The trio of weekend crimes took place on the near east and near northeast sides of town.
Just before 5 o’clock early Sunday morning, police believe 32-year-old Andre Canady Jr. was shot and killed by his cousin outside a home at New York and Arsenal Avenue.
According to court records, the deadly shooting started with an argument between two men.
When officers arrived, 30-year-old Warren Highbaugh allegedly admitted the pair had been drinking alcohol and got into a fight.
According to the affidavit in that case, the accused killer claimed the victim hit him in the face and pushed over his chair. In response,e Highbaugh fired eight fatal shots.
“Stop using firearms to solve your conflicts. There are better ways. We have to be able to talk to and reason with each other and walk away if you’re not able to talk,” said IMPD officer Tommy Thompson.
Officer Thompson said that same message applies to two other non-fatal shootings on Friday.
First, at a senior living facility near 29th and Lafayette Road, a man claimed he was shot and wounded by his wife while he was sitting on the toilet.
Court records claim 69-year-old Paulette Smith got mad that her husband was talking to another woman and started waving a gun around.
The affidavit explains that the victim thought his wife was bluffing and started laughing at her when she shot him in the leg.
Less than two hours later, IMPD said another woman shot and critically wounded a man after the pair got into an argument in the parking lot outside a food mart at 29th and MLK.
Surveillance video in that case shows the victim and suspect pushing each other in the face.
The affidavit in that case claims 29-year-old Raven Willis then pulled out a gun and fired multiple shots as the victim raised his arms and started to walk away.
IMPD said all three cases illustrate that police can’t prevent violence without the community’s help.
“Our community needs to ensure that we all do our part and that means acting like a mature responsible adult,” said Thompson.
The suspect in the homicide is being held without bond.
After being arrested for aggravated battery, Willis was able to post bond and has been released from jail.
Smith was arrested for battery with a deadly weapon and given a $40,000 surety bond.
Formal charges in all three cases are still pending by the prosecutor’s office.
